Digital security multimedia sensor

Abstract

A fully digital camera system provides high-resolution still image and streaming video signals via a network to a centralized, server supported security and surveillance system. The digital camera for collects an image from one or more image transducers, compressing the image and sending the compressed digital image signal to a receiving station over a digital network. A plurality of image transducers or sensors may be included in a single camera unit, providing array imaging such as full 360 degree panoramic imaging, universal or spherical imaging and field imaging by stacking or arranging the sensors in an array. The multiple images are then compressed and merged at the camera in the desired format to permit transmission of the least amount of data to accomplish the desired image transmission. The camera also employs, or connects to, a variety of sensors other than the traditional image sensor. Sensors for fire, smoke, sound, glass breakage, motion, panic buttons, and the like, may be embedded in or connected to the camera. Data captured by these sensors may be digitized, compressed, and networked to detect notable conditions. An internal microphone and associated signal processing system may be equipped with suitable signal processing algorithms for the purpose of detecting suitable acoustic events and their location. In addition, the camera is equipped with a pair of externally accessible terminals where an external sensor may be connected. In addition, the camera may be equipped with a short-range receiver that may detect the activation of a wireless ‘panic button’ carried by facility personnel. This ‘panic button’ may employ infrared, radio frequency (RF), ultrasonic, or other suitable methods to activate the camera's receiver.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention is a continuation of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09 / 593,361, filed Jun. 14, 2000 “Digital Security Multimedia Sensor.” The subject invention is generally related to digital cameras and sensors and is specifically directed to a multimedia sensor of use in connection with a digital networked surveillance system. The subject invention in it's preferred embodiment is a networked appliance. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art [0004] Security of public facilities such as schools, banks, airports, arenas and the like is a topic of increasing concern in recent years. Over the past few years, a number of violent incidents including bombings, shootings, arson, and hostage situations have occurred. In addition, agencies responsible for public security in these facilities must cope with more commonplace crimes, such as drug dealing, vandalism, theft and the like. [0005] Such facilities frequently empl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Recent advances in the art have produced commercially available area sensors with resolutions of 1024×1024, 1280×1024, 3072×2048, and more. These resolutions are continuing to increase, driven in part by the consumer market for digital cameras. As applied to a security camera, such improved resolution provides a significant improvement in the quality of the captured images. Such improved quality allows greater accuracy in recognizing persons or events.

[0039] Various geometries or configurations may be incorporated in the camera design. Specifically, the capability for placing multiple sensors in a single enclosure or unit greatly increases the resolution and / or viewing range of the camera without duplicating the per unit cost associated with prior art cameras by permitting all of the sensors to communicate directly to a single processor, compressor, transmitter circuit. Also, the higher-resolution of this multi-sensor camera can eliminate the need for expensive pan / tilt / zoom mechanisms. It also allows the periodic capture of a wide-field high-resolution view that is not possible with conventional CCTV cameras. In addition, other configurations which can be combined in a single or multiple sensor array are pan, tilt, rotate and zoom features, a single backup power supply for multiple sensor units and the like. The camera can be adapted for wireless communication and can be portable where desired.

Problems solved by technology

Over the past few years, a number of violent incidents including bombings, shootings, arson, and hostage situations have occurred.

These prior-art systems often use technologies that are somewhat dated.

The sensors are not ‘networked’ in the modern sense; they are generally hard-wired to the centralized monitoring system via a ‘current loop’ or similar arrangement, and do not provide situational data other than their ON / OFF status.

Video systems in common use today are particularly dated—they are generally of low quality, using analog signals conveyed over coaxial or, occasionally, twisted-pair cabling to the centralized monitoring facility.

Further, such systems generally do not have the ability to ‘share’ the captured video, and such video is generally viewable only on the system's control console.

In each case, the video is subject to degradation due to the usual causes—crosstalk in the wiring plant, AC ground noise, interfering carriers, and so on.

Due to the bandwidth constraints imposed by the public-switched telephone system, such systems are typically limited to low-resolution images, or to low frame rates, or both.

Each of these prior-art systems suffers functional disadvantages.

The composite video / coaxial cable approach provides full-motion video but can only convey it to a local monitoring facility.

The low-bit rate approach can deliver the video signal to a remote monitoring facility, but only with severely degraded resolution and frame rate.

While useful, this approach lacks the functional flexibility possible with more modern networking technologies.

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